Agribusiness: LIFE-ND trains 1,420 A'Ibomites in 10 LGAs

 

Monitoring Team with Incubatees/ Incubator at Ata Nto Obo Etim Ekpo LGA

FGN/NDDC/IFAD assisted Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) project has trained and empowered 1,420 unemployed and underemployed youths in Akwa Ibom state in various agricultural businesses across selected 10 Local Government Areas of the state. 

This was made known during the 3rd Joint Monitoring and Oversight visit by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), LIFE-ND National Project Coordinating Office (NPCO) and State Project Coordinating Office to Incubation centers in Akwa Ibom state, recently. 

Monitoring Team with Incubator/Incubatees at Ekpeyong Atai in Essien Udim LGA

12 incubation centers were selected in eight local government areas and they are:  Essien Udim: Ekpeyong Atai, Adiasim Ikot Essen Ndot, and Ukana Ikot Ntuen. In Mbo,  Afi Uda village; In Nsit Ubium, Ikot Ikpe Okon; In Ini local government, Ikot Nung Mbiabong Ukan, and  Ndot Ikpe; Etim Ekpo, Ata Nto Obo; Onna local government, Awa Iman, and  Ikot Ese Ishiet; Mkpat Enin, Ikot Akata; Ibiono Ibom - Nung Udoe Itak respectively.

LIFE-ND is being implemented across the nine Niger Delta states, with IFAD funding six states (Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ondo) and NDDC funding the remaining three states (Akwa Ibom, Imo, Rivers). The project covers 90 local government areas and 900 communities in total, focusing on the establishment of profitable agribusinesses, improving infrastructure, promoting financial inclusion, and strengthening rural institutions. 

Monitoring Team witn Incubator/ Incubatees at Ekpeyong Atai Essien Udim LGA

It has two components: economic opportunity enhancement and project management and coordination. 

The primary beneficiaries include 4,250 per State unemployed and underemployed youth (aged 18–35), women-headed households (WHH) with children under 15 years, and people living with disabilities (PWD), who will receive agribusiness training and support to become self-sufficient in the selected enterprise in the agribusiness value chain.

L-R Solomon Joe SPC LIFE-ND, Oretan Adebowale NDDC HQ, Norbert Brown NDDC State Office at the pre- field brief

 The project also aims to engage 100 enterprise incubators as mentors. Secondary beneficiaries include local processors, strengthened local governments and communities, and private sector operators.

The Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) is a collaboration between the Federal Government of Nigeria, IFAD, and NDDC, which was approved in December 2017 and supports national policies on youth employment and agriculture. The project operates in two phases of six years each and utilizes an Incubation Model to develop skilled agri-preneurs. It is a 12-year initiative aimed at transforming the rural economy of the Niger Delta region by enhancing income, food security, and job creation for youth and women through sustainable agribusiness development.

SPC addressing the team at the pre- field briefing

In Akwa Ibom state, the project launched on September 13th 2024, focuses on four priority commodities: Cassava, Oil Palm, Fishery (Aquaculture), and Poultry. 

The Project has a pilot of 10 selected local government areas which include Ibesikpo Asutan, Mbo, Onna, Mkpat Enin, Essien Udim, Ini, Etim Ekpo, Ibiono Ibom, Nsit Ubium, Oruk Anam representing the three Senatorial District with active project presence currently established in all.

Monitoring team with Incubator/Incubatees at Ikot Nung Mbiabong Ukan

The Monitoring and Oversight visit to selected incubation/ training centers has the objective of finding out how well the Incubators and Incubatees are doing, in terms of their challenges and performance.

 During the visit, Mr. Oretan Adebowale who represented the NDDC Headquarters mentioned that the gesture was made possible by the Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission to uplift the living standard of the people in the region.

Team at Afi Uda community in Mbo LGA

 He noted that though the first phase of the programme has been completed in other six states of the region, the MD, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku has made it possible for funds needed for the Take off and Implementation of the project in Akwa Ibom, Imo and Rivers state be released for the realization of a transformed rural economy.

On his part, Mr. Norbert Brown Director, NDDC State Office, disclosed that the proposal for the project submitted to NDDC Board by Dr Mrs. Winifred Madume (Director of Agriculture) was promptly approved due to the passion for the vulnerable in the Region. He further stated that the project is funded by Federal Government of Nigeria, International Fund for Agriculture Development, NDDC with counterpart fund   and provision of enabling environment by the State Government. LIFE-ND project has in the last one year recorded a lot of success in benefitting communities in Akwa Ibom state.

Monitoring Team at Ukana Ikot Ntuen Essien Udim LGA

 He implored the beneficiaries to take the opportunities seriously, devote time and make the best out of it for their own benefits. 

Speaking further, Stella Manureh NDDC Representative reiterated that the Commission is always ready to give every necessary support required to move LIFE-ND to the next level, explaining that the major objective of LIFE-ND is to improve the income of beneficiaries, create job opportunities, and enhance food security in the region. So far the Project has recorded success stories and has been very impactful.

Team with Incubator/Incubatees  at Ikot Ikpe Okon community

Bunmi Ogunleye representing the National Project Coordinator Dr. Abiodun Sanni, told the beneficiaries that the visit by the team was to ensure that funds released have been put into good use and well spent for the right people and purpose

 He further stated that the visit is routine until the right result is achieved. 

Speaking  at the Pre- field meeting for the 3rd Joint Monitoring and Oversight visit between NDDC Officials and LIFE-ND Project National and State team, Mr. Solomon Joe, State Project Coordinator of LIFE-ND in Akwa Ibom State stated that LIFE-ND through the sponsorship of  NDDC, the Federal Government of Nigeria, IFAD, and the Akwa Ibom state government   has supported 1,420 beneficiaries in 2025 as against the total of 4,250 beneficiaries targeted in 6 years for Akwa Ibom state, adding that 350 beneficiaries were supported in seven local government areas in Akwa Ibom State in the first phase, 500 beneficiaries in the second phase, while 570 beneficiaries was supported in 10 local government in the third phase. All beneficiaries were given their stipend, working capital and the seed capital.

Some excited Incubatees/beneficiaries and Incubators visited expressed pleasure on the magnanimous gesture of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Niger Delta Development Commission, and IFAD, through the LIFE-ND programme, stating that the programme has brought succour to them in no small measure.